Transnational Popular Culture

This course looks at popular culture as a transnational phenomenon. Taking up issues of cultural imperialism, globalization, domestication, and the economics of the culture industry, the course considers the history of cultural flows, from nineteenth century topics such as Chinese opera in the U.S. and Wild West shows in Europe to twenty-first century fast food, anime, sports, Disney, and music. We will consider both the consumers and producers of popular culture in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, as well as those in the United States. Enrollment limited to 20 juniors and seniors.